safe to drive

[black beauty]

Hello there all you clever people hope you had a lovely Christmas....
Bit of a story ...overheated and breakdown trip to garage three weeks ago...mechanic always good so not worried...He changed gasket and sent head to head garage who said ok...put back but still water not circulatung right ..thought radiator rusty inside...changed radiator...still water coming out overflow...took head back to head garage found leak so new head...all fitted and new something(very technical) for fans fitted all back working well....now three days later wont pull away well in low gear and lots of smoke from exhaust especially when engine under stress...have just driven about five miles to my work premises and left a message with mechanic on answerphone..I know he is very good and will sort it but am concerned that if I drive it I may do more damage...when its going it goes like a dream but so much smoke when you hear the engine change gear if there is anyone there who can advise if its alright to take me home I would be delighted to hear from you...

[MountainGoat]

Seems like an airlock in the cooling system, the result of the system not being bled properly by the mechanic after replacing the head. Never done it myself, one of the experts will be along soon to explain.

[dandywarhol]

Does it have a switch to the right of the steering column with a pic of an engine on it?

If yes, then its a warm up switch which can sometimes stick on and partially block the exhaust (it's designed to)

If no, then it could be one of many things......................................

[black beauty]

There is no switch next to the steering column with the engine sign ....

[Doone]

I wouldn't drive it until your mechanic has looked at it, better safe than sorry.

[Bob]

Doone is right, let your tech man have it back before you drive it any further.

[bigdaddycain]

Hi Black beauty, is the smoke white?